BETTY62

Is anyone out there the primary care giver for someone with alzheimers or dimentia? I have a question. Thanks

theoldgraymare

My husband's aunt has dementia. We and another cousin have moved her down here into a senior retirement home, but it is becoming apparent she is going to have to go into assisted living very soon. It is so sad and at the same time so aggravating! I doubt I know enough to answer your question, but if I can I will.

amandasgramma

I'm not the primary care giver....but my grandmother had it and I used to work in a nursing home on the floor with Alzheimer's and stroke patients. What's your question.

CoyoteQuilts

Post the questions and I'm sure that you will have several answers. There are very few families that have not been touched by this disease. I have taken care of several over the past 20 years in their home or mine......

pocoellie

What is your question? My husband and I took care of my mom for 14 1/2 years, although it was only the last 3 years of her life that she was getting progressively worse and needed 24/7 care. She died in 2005.

Izaquilter

Go to Alzheimer's classes at local hospital! I did, it showed tit for tat what that ugly uncontrollable disease does. Patience, patience, patience. I am soooo glad I understood it was the disease that had taken over & wasn't actually my mother. We are all here to help you

bkb

I am a nurse with 15 years in geriatrics , many had dementia. I will try to answer your questions if you want me to.

Cyn

Been there. Done that.

hannajo

I worked in a facility for people with alzheimers and dimentia for a several years. I was involved with all of their day-to-day care, as well as seeing their interactions with their families. I'm more than willing to share my experiences if it would help you.

BETTY62

Thank you guys for responding. Reading your messages has helped a lot and has also made me see thngs that I knew but don't think I wanted to actually admit to myself or anyone else.

I am the primary care giver for my soon to be 97 year old Mother. Other than the dementia/alzhimer's ( depending on the dr you talk with )she is in above average health. She can still get around without any type of assistance, dress herself and do simple chores like make her bed, unload the dishwasher and fold cloths. For this, I thank God every day.

She has good days where she is aware of what is going on around her and bad days where she is very confused. Until tonight when I read one of the post, I don't think I actually wanted to admit to myself that she also has days where she is a nice person and days where she is an extremely mean person. Not the Mother that raised me.

She also has developed some very odds habbits. She no longer wants to go outside of the house even to sit on the pourch and get sunshine and fresh air. She only wants to eat sweets and cereal ( dr said at her age don't worry about it ) doesn't want to use a plate, had rather eat off a napkin, misplaces things and thinks someone took them and hoards rolls of toilet paper.

I have never been around someone with this illness. I do not know what to expect. I live in a small town about 1 hour from the city. Although help is available there, it is not easy to go into the city because Mom gets so upset if I am out of pocket. What I need to know is: Is her behavior normal for someone with dementia/alheimer's.

I also feel bad because I see her life passing by and I do not know what I can do to improve it's quality. Is there anything and do you think she knows life is passing her by?

Thank you guys for listening. I feel better already after having expressed by feeling to someone who is not directly involved in this situation.

Betty